Carcano M38 Short Rifle-Lots of Pictures

[mdrim13]

I have finished cleaning up and cold blueing the butplate. It is still pretty rough but for now it will work just fine as I can easily replace it later on if I so desired. The color match is pretty close and I am happy with it because it is just a butplate. Its meant to be used and abused right?

[jmoore]

It ought to perform it's function just fine!

Did you think to take any "as delivered" photos of your new stock?

[Patrick Chadwick]

Everything is very tight to the point where you nearly have to beat it into the stock. It will be a slow process as I have never done it before. I would rather take my time then go to far and then have to patch and recut it out. After the stock is fitted i will fix some small cracks,

Yeah, well if you "nearly have to beat it into the stock" then "fix some small cracks" is no surprise. To prevent that turning into "fix some big cracks" one day, I recommend making sure that the barreled system is a snug fit, but not a force fit anywhere. But keep up the good work!

Patrick

[mdrim13]

I think that I am finally finished and really I couldnt be happier. I think it looks great and I couldnt have pictured it better. I fitted the stock and gave it four coats of BLO. I had an old sling laying around that slightly resembeled a carcano sling so I put it on for the time being, knowing it is not correct. Any comments or feedback appriciated.

[mausernut]

I have one of these in 6.5. Load my own ammo with Hornady .268 bullets

[xa-coupe]

Looks great mdrim13, another fine rescue from bubba sporterville !

[rattletrap1970]

I am in the process of repairing what some hack did to a 7.35 M38 Short Rifle. I had to do it though as the bore was absolutely excellent. I got it without the bolt, and with the stock hacked off just after the rear barrel band. (Rear barrel band and front band missing). They were using the bayonet clip to hold the barrel into the front of the stock. What a mess. I did manage to get a bolt, front barrel band and screws, stock and hand guard. The only thing missing is the rear barrel band.

Anyway. I stripped all the remaining hardware off the stock. Used my own mix of bluing stripper and reduced the metal to "in the white". Then proceeded to Slow Rust Blue everything I had. I used Mark Lee express blue and did 5 iterations of rusting, boiling and carding. The metal wouldn't actually rust or color any further so I heated the metal and applied oil.

The stock and hand guard were washed down with a 50-50 mix of denatured alcohol and mineral spirits. Then repeatedly steam ironed and re-cleaned to get all the oils and simple dents and impressions (except where markings and cartouches were located). Will be hand rubbing satin tung oil into the wood when it's all ready. I will supply pictures very soon.

I put a mention in the WTB section, but if anyone has a rear barrel band (I have the cross screw and nut/sling loop), that would be a big help.

[mdrim13]

I put a mention in the WTB section, but if anyone has a rear barrel band (I have the cross screw and nut/sling loop), that would be a big help.

As you can see in the original post I only had a half so I wasnt much better off than you...

mdrim13

[rattletrap1970]

Yeah, I see. Seems like anyone who bubba'ed these things all read from the same book of hacking up and ruining rifles. I mean, I've seen some really beautiful smartly done sporters.. but damn I see some true hack work... And all these lower barrel bands have to be somewhere.

[mdrim13]

put a mention in the WTB section, but if anyone has a rear barrel band (I have the cross screw and nut/sling loop), that would be a big help.

Liberty Tree Collectors has the bands currently. Just google their name.

mdrim13